The Atlanta Braves have spent the first two months of the season proving they can win despite a growing list of injuries. At 32-16, Atlanta owns the best record in Major League Baseball and sits seven games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. The offense has carried its share of the load, but the rotation has taken repeated hits, forcing the organization to consider whether another major arm could become necessary before the trade deadline.
Spencer Schwellenbach, AJ Smith-Shawver, and Hurston Waldrep are all sidelined, leaving the Braves thinner than expected behind Chris Sale and Spencer Strider. Sale has looked rejuvenated, while Strider remains one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball when healthy. The problem is that “when healthy” has become a recurring concern over the last few seasons. Atlanta may need another frontline starter capable of anchoring meaningful games in October.
Tarik Skubal Emerges as a Potential Braves Trade Target
That is where Tarik Skubal enters the conversation. CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa recently listed the Braves among several contenders that could pursue the Detroit Tigers ace if Detroit decides to become sellers later this season. While Axisa noted the Tigers are unlikely to move Skubal unless their season continues sliding, the possibility alone immediately changes the trade market.
“Assuming he returns from surgery without a hitch, Skubal would instantly become the best available pitcher and the best available player period at the trade deadline if the Tigers do put him on the market,” Axisa wrote. “Every contender, Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, etc., would make a run at him. The bidding war would be fierce.”
It is easy to understand why. Skubal has developed into one of baseball’s premier pitchers, combining overpowering velocity with elite strikeout ability and command. If healthy, he would instantly become the ace of Atlanta’s rotation. A postseason trio featuring Skubal, Sale, and Strider would give the Braves one of the most dangerous pitching staffs in the National League.
Why the Braves Could Push Aggressively
The timing also makes sense from Atlanta’s perspective. The Braves missed the postseason in 2025 and entered this year with obvious urgency. They are built to win now, and they know the Los Angeles Dodgers remain the biggest obstacle standing between them and another World Series title. Adding Skubal would not guarantee anything, but it would dramatically increase Atlanta’s margin for error heading into October.
Detroit’s situation remains the key variable.
The Tigers have struggled to stay above water and currently sit 20-28, trailing the Cleveland Guardians by 6 1/2 games in the AL Central while remaining only 2 1/2 games out of a wild card spot. If they continue to fade over the next several weeks, pressure could mount to sell valuable assets for long-term returns.
The Trade Package Would Be Massive
That does not mean Skubal would come cheap.
Any deal would likely require multiple top prospects, and Braves president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos has historically been careful about sacrificing too much long-term talent for short-term rentals. Atlanta would also need to weigh Skubal’s recovery from elbow surgery and determine whether the risk matches the price.
Still, contenders rarely get the opportunity to acquire a pitcher of Skubal’s caliber in the middle of a pennant race. If Detroit opens the door, the Braves will almost certainly be one of the first teams knocking.
